# Disrupting Town Hall Meetings **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 3, 2009, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176 "2009-08-03T16:17:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/121 "2009-08-07T20:32:40Z")
You dishonest sack of liquid horseshit, that “cite” has not the remotest bearing on the matter at hand! Worse, I had to read it to be sure. Christ Jesus, man, did you really think you’d get away with it? ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/122 "2009-08-07T22:22:51Z")
Well, this sure will further the goal of open and honest debate, won’t it? [Anti-Health Care Reform Protester Encourages Physical Violence, Use Of Firearms](http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/08/anti-health-care-reform-protester-encourages-physical-violence-use-of-firearms.php?ref=fpblg): > [@](#): > > Based on the news that health care events are edging into violence, an anti-health care reform protester in New Mexico named Scott Oskay is calling on his hundreds of online followers to bring firearms to town halls, and to ‘badly hurt’ SEIU and ACORN counter protesters. The tweets inciting violence follow the quoted text. ---
**Author:** ![ArizonaTeach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/45deac/32.png) [@ArizonaTeach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArizonaTeach)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/123 "2009-08-08T04:11:01Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > You dishonest sack of liquid horseshit, that “cite” has not the remotest bearing on the matter at hand! Worse, I had to read it to be sure. Christ Jesus, man, did you really think you’d get away with it? Hey, dipshit, you asked me (in your passive agressive assholish manner) to show a cite about Unions using chartered busses to go to a political rally. Explain to me what part I didn’t address there. From page two: “The plaintiffs were disciplined for conduct that occurred during a union-sponsored bus trip to attend a political rally in Boston.” If you wanted me to address a different issue, you should have fucking said something before you asked me to **prove that unions bussed people to political rallies**. Jesus Christ, you’re worthless when your bon mots fail you, aren’t you? Apologist mode kicks in and you the best you can do is go straight to vulgarity mode? I thought you were above that. God knows I’m not, but I thought you were. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/124 "2009-08-08T04:13:49Z")
**ArizonaTeach** , did you miss the part where we’ve been talking about town hall meetings? ---
**Author:** ![ArizonaTeach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/45deac/32.png) [@ArizonaTeach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArizonaTeach)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/125 "2009-08-08T04:14:31Z")
> [@Captain\_Carrot](#): > > **ArizonaTeach** , did you miss the part where we’ve been talking about town hall meetings? Did you miss the part where he called a statement out of context (from a joke, I might add) and asked me to prove it? ---
**Author:** ![wevets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9a140/32.png) [@wevets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wevets)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/126 "2009-08-08T16:14:53Z")
Relevant news story: > **[404 Not Found | wtsp.com](https://www.wtsp.com/error/404?storyid=111086&catid=8&GID=8v9tJ8aqpPOhDnh0l7wn4l2aChxdxBLCV4uSCvgmOso%3D)** > [@WTSP](#): > > Inside, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor of Tampa and State Rep. Betty Reed barely made it through opening remarks before angry protestors began shouting and interrupting their remarks. > > Moments later, violence broke out just outside the main auditorium doors, prompting police to close off the meeting room. A freelance photojournalist was among those roughed up suffering damage to both his glasses and camera equipment. > > “That’s the most violent anyone has been towards me,” said Mark Bishop, who drove from Orlando to video tape the event. “It was surprising to say the least.” > > At least one person was treated for minor injuries following the altercation and could be seen on video with a shirt partially torn off his body. It’s unclear from the report who or which side started the violence. What is clear is that the representatives did not have an opportunity to engage in rational dialogue with their constituents and vice versa. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/127 "2009-08-08T16:47:21Z")
Out of curiosity, I want to find out at what level of violence the conservative posters on this board will start to have concerns? Also, does the context have any bearing on your concerns? For example, we had an incident here in Pittsburgh where a guy motivated by his concerns that Obama was coming for his guns ended up killing three police officers. Most conservatives did not see that as related to any activity by right-wingers that might foment violence. Similarly, an abortion doctor targeted by Bill O’Reilly was killed in a church, and most conservatives did not want to see any linkage. If serious violence or death should arise due to these orchestrated efforts to shout down and disrupt town hall meetings, will those on the right who set all this in motion bear any responsibility? ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/128 "2009-08-08T16:56:10Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > If serious violence or death should arise due to these orchestrated efforts to shout down and disrupt town hall meetings, will those on the right who set all this in motion bear any responsibility? No, this is when the personal responsibility mantra will conveniently start up again. “The person who sent out the email suggesting disruption did not actually disrupt the meeting; only the people who chose to act on that email are responsible.” ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/129 "2009-08-08T19:06:30Z")
Boy, that “personal responsibility” mantra has a marvelous flexibility, no? ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/130 "2009-08-08T19:14:01Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Boy, that “personal responsibility” mantra has a marvelous flexibility, no? It’s an understood “everyone but me/us has”. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2009, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/131 "2009-08-09T14:12:11Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > Sure it’s obnoxious, but fuck, look at the 60’s; obnoxious demonstrations are the only ones that get noticed. Looking at the sexeganarian demographic of most of them, many perhaps the same participants. ---
**Author:** ![Plan\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Plan\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plan_B)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2009, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/132 "2009-08-09T14:50:12Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > Out of curiosity, I want to find out at what level of violence the conservative posters on this board will start to have concerns. I’m against any disruptions of freedom of speech. As I’ve posted elsewhere there are a lot more of them from the left but I’m willing to condemn anyone who does this. The only exception I might make is a forum like this. Once you enter you agree to be shouted down. It’s like a boxing match. It’s OK to punch someone in the face. Not so on the sidewalk outside the arena. Needless to say, I condemn anything more severe than disruption of free speech. [http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YTZjMWFjYWRlYmIyMGFhZDY0YzVjNzFjYWE4ODU2MmM=](http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YTZjMWFjYWRlYmIyMGFhZDY0YzVjNzFjYWE4ODU2MmM=) Here’s Mark Steyn’s latest on the left’s approach to dissent. Feel free to call him and me all sorts of names if you don’t have time to dispute the arguments. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2009, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/133 "2009-08-09T14:55:08Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > Funny how Congress will demand voters show IDs to speak to their representatives at town hall meetings but not when it’s time to vote. > > [Link to Call to the Unions to Shut Up the Voters Who Dared Question The Fearless Leader.](http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/06/unions-joining-the-fray-in-health-care-overhaul/) From your link: > [@](#): > > Now, in “unleashing the purple people,” as Ramona Oliver, a spokeswoman for the union, put it, the union wants to “challenge the radical fringe” that is disrupting the town hall meetings. It plans to ask everyone attending the meetings to sign a pledge that they will engage in “civil” dialogue. > > “We’re not trying to escalate a confrontation,” Ms. Oliver said. “Our members aren’t there to talk to the crazies. We want to ensure that a conversation takes place and that members are able to hear from their constituents.” Oh those oppressive unions strong arming people to handle the debate in a civilized manor by asking them to voluntarily sign a pledge. Talk about brutal, and opressive. What’s next the unions challenging the tea bagers to a moderated debate? I wouldn’t put it past those savages. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2009, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/134 "2009-08-09T15:03:48Z")
> [@](#): > > …Feel free to call him and me all sorts of names if you don’t have time to dispute the arguments. Utterly dishonest. I know exactly who is being spoken of in the context of “Brooks Brothers” lobbyists, and so do you. Its speaks to well-paid lobbyists who regard political cynicism as an art form, the kind of people who look to Karl Rove and Lee Atwater as role models to be admired and emulated, rather than soul-dead pustules on the body politic. I think he knows that. I think he throws out this crap, suggesting that the innocently well-dressed are discrimnated against by the Obamistas as a form of class warfare, as a smokescreen, trying to change the subject. If he is an idiot and doesn’t know any better, well, bless his heart, he means well. Otherwise, he is nothing but a cynical word-warrior, defending an empty set of platitudes as though they were principles. Oh, wait, that must mean I “don’t have time to dispute the arguments.” Apparently, neither does he. Fair enough, but at least I argue because I mean it, even if I’m a slut, he’s a whore. ---
**Author:** ![athelas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@athelas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/athelas)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2009, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/135 "2009-08-09T15:35:50Z")
> [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](#): > > Oh those oppressive unions strong arming people to handle the debate in a civilized manor by asking them to voluntarily sign a pledge. Talk about brutal, and opressive. What’s next the unions challenging the tea bagers to a moderated debate? I wouldn’t put it past those savages. [Sound so glib now](http://www.redstate.com/moe_lane/2009/08/07/getting-in-their-faces-st-louis/)? > [@](#): > > I didn’t put up anything on the Gladney Incident (allegedly, a conservative activist at Russ Carnahan’s town hall / aging event was sent to the emergency room last night because of an attack by SEIU people) last night because it was at the time single-source. We have gotten another report in, though - and more importantly, what looks to be video from the scene Also, some [big](http://www.redstate.com/simpson316/2009/08/08/dont-tread-on-me/) [scary](http://www.redstate.com/e_pluribus_unum/2009/08/07/meet-the-mob-by-dana-loesch/) conservative [mobs](http://www.redstate.com/moe_lane/2009/08/06/behold-those-scary-scary-swastika-bearing-astroturfers/). ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2009, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/136 "2009-08-09T15:48:34Z")
**Athelas** , if you could restrain yourself from offering _Red State_ as a cite, that would be nice. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2009, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/137 "2009-08-09T16:18:16Z")
> [@Plan\_B](#): > > Feel free to call him and me all sorts of names if you don’t have time to dispute the arguments. What argument? You’re simply saying “You guys do it more!” That’s really not much of an argument. I also think it’s demonstrably silly. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2009, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/138 "2009-08-09T17:43:32Z")
> [@athelas](#): > > [Sound so glib now](http://www.redstate.com/moe_lane/2009/08/07/getting-in-their-faces-st-louis/)? Did you even watch the video? There’s no way to tell who was responsible. In any case, I find it extremely amusing that you’re surprised that angry mobs + angry mobs =/= hug party. What on earth did you think would happen when your side decided to send out the goons? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2009, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/139 "2009-08-09T17:46:40Z")
> [@Plan\_B](#): > > [http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YTZjMWFjYWRlYmIyMGFhZDY0YzVjNzFjYWE4ODU2MmM=](http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YTZjMWFjYWRlYmIyMGFhZDY0YzVjNzFjYWE4ODU2MmM=) > > Here’s Mark Steyn’s latest on the left’s approach to dissent. > > Feel free to call him and me all sorts of names if you don’t have time to dispute the arguments. Um… what arguments? That Barbara Boxer’s “well-dressed” comment sounds silly when taken out of context? Can’t dispute that. You win! ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2009, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176/140 "2009-08-09T19:34:39Z")
> [@Plan\_B](#): > > Feel free to call him and me all sorts of names if you don’t have time to dispute the arguments. What argument? There isn’t an argument in sight in that link, beyond “Libruls are hypocrites and mean poopy-heads”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disrupting-town-hall-meetings/505176.md?page=8)